Electric-arc lamp.



Patented Aug. l5, |899.

P. LUHR.

ELEcTmc Anc LAMP.

(Applcation led Aug. 17, 189B.)

5 Sheets-Sheet No Model.)

, R O Tl N E ATTORNEY w a@ v w L. 6 d

S rl WITNESS fifi/(MKM No. 630,905. Patented Aug. I5, |899. P. LUHR.

ELECTRIC ARC LAMP.

(Application led Aug. 17. 1898.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 2,

(No Model.)

Patented Aug. I5, |899.

P. LUHB.

ELECTRIC ABC LAMP.

(Application led Aug. 17, 189B.)

5 Sheets Sheet 3,

(No Model.)

.INVENTOR WITNESSES: W4 2 )3J/@4 we Noam PETERS ca.. Mormuwo., wAswNmm, u. c.

Patented Aug. I5, |899.

P. LUHR.

ELECTRIC ARC LAMP.

(Application filed Aug. 17, 1898.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 4,

(No Model.)

INVENTQR ATTORNEY w: Nonms Ferns cn. Moro-uws.. wAsumm'oN, D4 c.

Patented Aug. I5, |899.

P. LUHR.

ELECTRIC ARC LAMP. (Lppucmon'medlug. 17, 139s.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 5,

(No Model.)

INVENTOR 'me uonms persas co.. pnovcmmo.. wAsmNaToN. n c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PHILIP IIUIIR, OF ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO TI-IE MANHATTAN GENERAL CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, OF NEWT YORK.

ELECTRIC-ARC LAM P.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 630,905, dated August 15, 1899.

Application tiled August 17, 1898. Serial No. 688,829. (No model.)

the following is a full, clear, and exact de# scription.

This invention relates to electric-arc lamps of that type in which the arc is inclosed in a small and practically sealed globe. The improvements have reference to the arc-regulating mechanism, to the construction whereby the lamp may be readily taken apart and assembled, and to the mechanism for facilitating the trimming of the lamp, all of which will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l represents a vertical central section through the upper and arc-regulating mechanism. Fig. 2 is a section on line 3 3 of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a section on line 4l 4 of Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a view of the bottom of a coinbined nut and wrench. Fig. 5 is a View of a retaining-ring. Fig. 6 is a View of a coil-supporting ring. Fig. 7 is a side view of the lamp with parts removed. Figs. Srand 9 show the carbon-sheath and contact device in elevation and section, respectively. Fig. 1() is a side view of thelower portion or trim of the lamp, showing in dotted lines the inner globe lowered. Fig. l1 is a detail of one of the telescoping side rods. Fig. l2 is a section through line 5 5 of Fig. l0. Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional View of the mechanism for lowering the inner globe.

With reference to the upper part of the lamp, A is an iroii magnet-frame consistingv of top and bottom disks a and a, connected by oppositely-disposcd side uprights a2. The upper disk is perforated centrally and threaded to receive the lower threaded end of a tube h, by which the lamp is suspended and which contains the carbon-inclosing tube b'. The

lower disk a' is also provided with alarge central opening a3, which is threaded to receive the supporting devices for the magnet and its armature, as will be hereinafter referred to.

To the underside of disk ct is permanently secured a flanged ring c, by means of screws c', suitable non-conducting bushings c2 being l interposed coil.

it will tit.

the carbon the tube b,

Inature.

axially.

the sleeve.

to eiectually insulate the ring `from the frame A. The ring thus insulated is provided with threads c3, adapted to receive a threaded ring CZ, from which all the loWerport-ions of the lamp depend. tive current of the lamp traverses the frame A and other upper parts, while the negative current is in the lower parts supported by the ring c, the two currents being electually insulated and the construction of the lamp being such, as will be seen, that it is never neca essary to disturb the insulation in any manipulation of the lamp while it is on the line.

A single magnet-coil E is used in this lamp, and it is located between the uprights a2 axially in line with the disks a a'. rounds abrass sleeve e, which carries at its upper end a [ixed iron core c and at its lower end a fixed iron ring e2. ical in shape and projects ydownward into the To the core is attached a brass tube b', passing axially through it and extending downward to a point near the lower end of the coil and upward through the tube Z). This tube incloses the upper carbon electrode and furnishes a guide therefor. the magnet is a cylinder of iron F, having a conical cavity in its upper end corresponding to the conical shape of the core, over which The posi- The coil sur- 'lhe core c is con- The armature of It also has a central passage, into which the tube b' enters and through which passes. The armature thus iills the annular space between the cylinder c and the air in the space between the core e and the armature being confined forms a cushion to retard the movements of the ar- The lower end of the armature has formed init a cylindrical cavity, in which is placed a pan f, containinga conical chamber through which the carbon-rod passes. bottom ot' the pan is closed, except fora central openin g through which the carbon passes A loose sleeve g surrounds the carbon and projects upward toward the tube b and downward through the bottom of the pan. This sleeve is provided with three lateral openings g', and the pan contains three metallic balls h, one extending into each of the lateral openings g and adapted to bear against the surface of the carbon-rod passing through The The upward movement of the IOO sleeve with respect to the armature lifts the balls toward the widest diameter of the conical chamber in the pan and so removes them from contact with the surface of the carbon, while, on the other hand, the upward movement of the armature and pan will throw the balls into the narrower diameter of the conical chamber and force them into contact with the carbon, causing the carbon to be clamped and to travel upward with the pan. The pan is secured in the armature by a screw f'. The lower end of tube b serves as a stop, against which sleeve g may strike to limit the pickup of the carbon when the current is turned on. When the lamp is not burning, the sleeve and armature both rest on the table j, the balls being in the upper or widest part of the conical chamber. 'When the current is turned on, the armature rises independently of the sleeve until the balls grip the carbon, whereupon the sleeve and carbon follow until the sleeve strikes the end of tube ZJ'. With this arrangement diierent sizes (diameters) of carbons may be used, for with the smaller sizes the armature simply travels farther before the carbon is gripped, and with all sizes the length of the pick-np is the same.

The magnet-coil E is supported on three feet or spacing-blocks c3, of insulating material, carried on the top of the ring e2, the latter being attached friction-tight tothe sleeve e. The magnet-coil is thus elevated from the ring, which permits a current of air to pass under it and upward through a space between the coil and the cylinder e to ventilate the parts. The ring e2 and the parts which it carries are supported in place by a nut t', the ring having asmooth periphery and passing upward into the opening` in disk a', without engaging with its threads, and the nut being screwed into place behind it until it is supported at the position indicated in Fig. l.

y' represents a device having several functions. Itis a cup-shaped casting having a central opening in its bottom, through which the carbon-rod passes and around which a horizontal rim j is formed to receive the end of the clutch-sleeve g and limit the movement of the latter. rlhe upper edges of the casting are surrounded by a screw-thread adapted to enter the opening in disk a, behind the nut t', it being therebysupported in place. The cup thus supported forms an airchamber protecting the upper parts of the lamp from the heat of the arc. In dismantling the lamp the cup is used as a wrench to remove the nut t. For this purpose it is provided ou its under side with three pins jz. Vhen the cup has been removed, the armature is next taken out by drawing' it downward, and then by reversing the cup and adjusting its pins to the holes fz" in the nut the latter may be unscrewed and removed, after which the ring c2, with the cylinder e, core c', and the tube ZJ', may be lowered through the opening in the disk a'. The coil comes out laterally through one of the openings bctween the nprights a2. The reverse of these operations reassembles the parts described.

Refer now to Figs. 8 and S) for an illustration of the carbon-sheath and the device for conveying the current to the upper-carbon rod. The fixed tube Zi is represented in dotted lines. The carbon-sheath consists of two portions Z.: and Z, respectively. The former carries the contact device, and the latter is merely a split cylinder adapted to fit over the end of the carbon-rod. The two parts are held together by a screw 7c', which enters the plug Z', the former being attached to the part 7o, while the latter is attached to the part Z. Thus when either part becomes destroyed or injured it is not necessary to renew the entire sheath. The contact device consists of four balls m, of magnetic material, contained in t-he tubular part 7i; and projecting partially outside thereof through lateral openings in the tube. The balls are arranged in pairs, each pair standing across the diameter of the tube at right angles to each other and with a larger ball between the two pairs and in contact with each of the others. The conical plugs o and O enter the opposite ends ol the tube and project between the members ol' each pairof balls, thus preventing them from falling inward. One of these plugsis springsupported, as shown, to keep the balls in contact and prevent rattling. lVhen the magnet of the lamp is energized, the balls are attracted outward and maintain a good rolling contact with the inner surface of the brass tube b. This tube being in electrical connection with the positive side of the circuit, the current is conveyed from it through the sheath to the upper carbon electrode. A contact device of this character offers the least resistance to the movements of the carbon-rod and cannot bind in the tube b, hecause the balls will individually yield to any sidewise pressure.

Depending from the ring Z are two hollow side rods 2) p, braced at their lower ends by a ring p. Inside of these rods are two other hollow rods q q, the lower ends of which pass out of the rodsp and are connected together by a yoke q', at the center of which the arcinclosing globe r and the lower-carbon holder and electrode are supported. Inside of the tubes q are rods s s. These rods have enlarged lower ends which engage with inwardlyturned lips q2 at the upper ends of the rods q to prevent them from passing entirely through the open ends of the latter. Likewise the upper ends of rods s have enlargements s, provided with shoulders s2, adapted to be engaged by latches t, pivoted to the ring p. The enlargements 3 are elongated and lit nicely in the tubep, so as to form a guide and steadying device for the rods. From what has been said it will be seen that the arc-inclosing globe is supported upon double telescoping rods, which permit of the dropping of the smaller globe to a very low position for trimming. As a means for raising and lowering IOO IIO

the globe, the yoke (j is provided with a downwardly-projecting stem u, having a knob of, of insulating material, at its lower end and screwing at its upper end into the yoke. By using this stem as a handle the globe and telescoping rods may be lifted and lowered.

In order to retain the' globe in its elevated position and to release it at will for lowering, I have provided the following-described device:

trepresent U-shaped latches pivoted at their extremities to the ring p and embracing the ends of yoke q. The latchesnorm ally rest against rods q or s, but when the yoke is below them and is lifted its extremities force the latches outward and upward until they fall by their own weight over the ends of the yoke and against the rods q, in which position the yoke will rest upon the latches and so support' the globe and rods. To release the latches for lowering the globe, I have provided a cross-arm w, having forked ends, which embrace the two rods q, respectively, immediately below the ends of yoke Q'. These forks at the extremities of the arm tu are provided on each side with a cam-shaped upward projection fw', which normally stands just' beneath the latches when in their locking position. By lifting this cross-arm the cams strike the underside of the latches, throwing them upward and releasing the yoke. For the purpose of thus lifting the cross-arm it is connected with a sleeve 102, surrounding` the stem u, the sleeve being screw-threaded into the arm for the purpose of adjustment. The lower end of the sleeve carries a knob w3, by grasping which the sleeve and cross-arm may be moved vertically independent of the stem. To insure the return of the cross-arm to its lower position (shown in Fig. 13) after it has once been lifted to release the latches, a spring w1 is used, which bears at one end against the shoulder ot' the sleeve L02 and at the other end against the cover of the outer globe.

The outer globe is represented by Z. It is provided with an opening through which the inner globe is lowered, the outer globe not being disturbed in trim ming t-he lamp. This opening is normally covered by the plate .e of spring metal, which is provided with a flange to bear against the bottom opening in the globe. This cover has a hub z', of porcelain or other suitable material, which surrounds the sleeve L02 and is provided with an internal chamber to accommodate the spring w1 and to furnish a bearing for one end ofthe spring. Thus when the knob w3 is lift-ed the spring is compressed, since the coverplate is held against the ange of the outer globe. This power stored in the spring will then be exercised to lower the cross-arm w to prevent its sticking in its elevated position.

The operation of lowering the inner globe consists in graspin g the knob w3, (which is of porcelain,) lifting it to release the latches, and allowing the inner globe, the cover c, and the connected parts to lower through the opening in the outer globe to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. l0. After the lamp has been trimmed the parts are returned to their normal position by pressing upward upon the lowermost knob u'.

If it is desired to detach the trim of the lamp entirely from the other parts, this may be done by liftingboth latches while the inner globe is lowered, whereupon the telescoping rods may be drawn entirely out of the stationary rods p p.

Inside ofthe outer globe and arranged annularly above the inner globe is a reflector y. This consists of a split ring having a curved surface y', coated with white enamel, and having an upwardly-extending flange y2, which rests upon a ledge on the upper frame of the lamp. The reflector is made of spring metal, so that its ou ter edges rest snugly against the inner side of the globe to support the Same and exclude air. At the same time thereflector and globe together form an annular airchamber, which protects the upper works from the heat of the arc.

Having described my invention, I claiml. In an arc-lamp, a magnet-coil supported above a Hoor upon feet or spacing-blocks, in combination with an armature, an air-space being provided between the coil and armature, substantially as described.

2. In an arc-lamp, the combination of an axial magnet, a magnet-frame embracing it, said frame provided with an axial opening through which parts of the magnet pass, and through which the armature of the magnet normally projects, a cupshaped casting screwing into said opening and inclosing the lower end of the armature, a carbon-rod passing through the armature and cup-shaped casting, a clutch-releasing sleeve carried by the armature and projecting into the cupshaped casting, the bottom or" which serves as astop forsaid sleevein releasing the clutch, substantially as described.

3. In an arc-lamp, the combination ot' an axial magnet, a magnet-frame embracing it, said frame provided with an axial threaded opening, a n ut screwing into said opening and supporting parts ofthe magnet, acup-shaped casting also screwing into said opening and inclosing the carbon-clutch, said casting being provided on its lower end with means for engaging the nut, whereby the latter maybe unscrewed, substantially as described.

4. 4In an arc-lamp, a contact device for conveying current to the carbon-rod, which consists of a tube containing a plurality of balls projecting through lateral openings in the sides thereof, in combination with two conical plugs entering the respective ends ot the tube and bearing against the balls, for the purpose set `forth.

5. In an arc-lamp, a contact device for conveying current to the carbon-rod, which consists of a tube containing a plurality of balls projecting through lateral openings in the sides th erect, in combination with two conical IIO plugs entering the respective ends of the tube and bearing against the balls, one of said plugs being yieldingly supported, substantially as described.

6. The combination with a fixed outer globe, of a lower-carbon holder, two hollow stationary side rods and double telescoping side rods entering the same and upon which the carbon-holder is supported.

7. In an arc-lamp, a stationary outer globe having a bottom opening, a cover for said opening, telescoping side rods inside of said globe, an inner globe designed to raise and lower and be supported on the telescoping rods located inside the outer globe, means for sustaining the inner globe in its normal or elevated position and mechanism located outside of the outer globe whereby the` inner globe may be released and lowered through the opening in the outer globe.

S. In an arc-lamp, a stationary outer globe having a bottom opening, a cover for said opening, stationary side rods inside of said globe, latches supported thereby, an inner `globe and a raising and lowering frame carrying the same and normally supported in its elevated position by said latches, and means whereby said latches may be released from outside of the outer globe, substantially as described.

9. In an arc-lamp, the combination of apair of stationaryside rods carrying latches, a pair of telescoping rods therein carrying the lowercarbon holder, said latches adapted to engage and support the carbon-holder, means for disengaging said latches consisting of a reciprocating cross-arm acting upon both latches simultaneously and means for manually moving the cross-arm to release the latches, substantially as described.

lO. In an arc-lamp, the combination of a pair of stationary side rods carrying latches, a pair of telescoping rods therein carrying the lower-carbon holder, said latches adapted to engage and support the carbon-holder, means for disengaging said latches consisting oi' a reciprocating cross-arm acting upon both latches simultaneously, means for manually moving the cross-arm to release the latches and a spring for returning the cross-arm after it has been thus moved, substantially as described.

ll. In an arc-lamp, the combination of an arc-inelosing globe, a pair of telescoping rods connected by a yoke, upon which the globe is supported, retaining-latches for said yoke a stem secured to said yoke, by which it may be raised, a sleeve surrounding the stem and carrying a cross-arm, and means for reciproeating the sleeve to release said latches, substantially as described.

l2. In an arc-lamp, the combination of a globe having an opening,a cover forsaid opening, a fixed stem passing axially through said cover, a sliding sleeve on said stem and a spring interposed between the cover and sleeve.

13. In an arc-lamp, the combination of an inner and an outer globe, and a reflector located ann ularly above the inner globe forining an air-chamber protecting the lamp from the heat of the aro and sustaining the outer globe.

la. In an arc-lamp, a lower-carbon holder, an inner arc-inclosin g globe and an outer globe having an opening in its bottom through which the carbonholder and inner globe are adapted to be raised and lowered, in combination with means for supporting the carbonholder and inner globe in their raised position, said means being located inside the outer globe, means located outside the outer globe for disengaging said supporting means, and a sustaining device for the carbonholder and inner globe when in their lower position.

l5. vIn an arc-lamp, the combination of the lower-carbon holder, two hollow stationary side rods and double telescoping side rods entering the same, and upon which the carbon-holder is carried, and means for supporting the carbonholder against the action of gravity.

In witness whereof I subscribe my signature in presence of two witnesses.

PHILIP LUHR.

\Vitnesses:

WM. A. RosENBAUn, GEO. S. KENNEDY. 

